2012 MLS Draft 2 Rounds
There were no real changes in terms of Generation Adidas Players this week. Here’s a look at this weeks 2 round MLS Mock Draft.
Please comment and email me on any 2nd rounders who you believe should be on this list. I felt like I put too many forwards on this list near the end.
Email me at [email protected] to share your take on a pick.
Round 1
1. Montreal Impact Darren Mattocks Forward Akron Sophomore The Montreal Impact hold the first pick in the 2012 MLS Super Draft. Montreal really used the 2012 MLS Expansion Draft to stock up on midfield and defense.
Montreal already was strong on midfield and defense. The additions of Zarek Valentine and Jeb Brovsky make this team even more dangerous.
Montreal also added Donovan Rickets as a starting goalie. Montreal has made a lot of impressive moves that convince me that they appear better on paper than most expansion teams heading into their first year of the MLS.
The Impact took Brian Ching with the top pick, but he does not want to play for the Impact. I don’t expect Ching to play for the impact which leaves a glaring hole at striker.
Expansion teams have a tendency to take strikers with the top pick. Akron striker Darren Mattocks tallied 18 goals as a freshman and matched that total as a sophomore after Akron lost 9 other players 7 to the 2011 MLS Super Draft and 2 players due to transfers.
With the talent that Montreal added I feel like the Impact could take the league by storm in 2012 if they select Mattocks. Mattocks is a very special prospect with his consistency at forward.
The fact that Mattocks matched his goal total after losing an immense amount of talent at Akron pretty much convinces me that Mattocks can become a cornerstone player for an MLS Expansion Franchise.
Mattocks really dominated in the 2011 College Cup. Mattocks created constant scoring chances in Thursday nights tournament opening win against Northwestern as Mattocks scored the put away goal in the 77th minute.
On Sunday Mattocks helped guide defending Champion Akron to a 3-2 victory over 6 seed SMU. Akron will face Charlotte next Sunday. Charlotte knocked off 11 seed UAB. If Akron wins next Sunday like many people expect them to then Mattocks could face 3 seed Connecticut in the quarterfinals in 2 weeks.
Most MLS Draft Boards have Duke defender Andrew Wenger as the top player on their boards. Wenger and Duke blew a 1 to 0 lead to unbeaten New Mexico in the 2nd round of the College Cup.
Does Montreal follow the forward trend and take Mattocks? Or does Montreal add Andrew Wenger put him at right back next to rookie center back Nelson Rivas?
For now, Mattocks is the top pick because I believe he is a franchise player who brings more to the table long term than Duke defenseman Andrew Wenger. Things could change down the road, but you cannot ignore the growing trend of expansion teams taking striker forwards with the first pick.
Unless Mattocks turns down a Generation Adidas Deal I expect him to be the top pick. Montreal has the depth at midfield, defense, and goalie. The Impact need a striker and I can see Darren Mattocks being an immediate impact player.
2. Vancouver Whitecaps Andrew Wenger Defenseman Duke Junior Its becoming clearer and clearer that Mattocks and Wenger go #1 and #2 overall if both sign Generation Adidas Players. Wenger is #1 on Vancouver’s draft board. The Whitecaps need a center back/defensive midfielder. Wenger is clearly the best defensive player available.
Vancouver only scored 35 goals all year. Wenger has 42 points and 17 goals with Duke so he could provide some offensive pop while aiding Vancouver’s anemic defense.
If Montreal takes Wenger I think Vancouver looks at Dillon Powers as the #2 overall pick. If Powers returns to school then UCLA’s Kelyn Rowe is an option.
Wenger should be one of the 8 Generation Adidas players for the 2012 MLS Super Draft. About 8 GA players get selected each year. With Mattocks and Wenger gone only 6 Generation Adidas player remain.
Andrew Wenger, Dillon Powers, Kelyn Rowe are the top 3 players on the Whitecaps draft board.
Omar Salgado has played with Rowe and Notre Dame’s Dillon Powers on USA’s Under 18 and USA Under 20 teams. The team chemistry is there with both players. I like Powers better than Rowe. There is talk that Powers returns or that Rowe could go ahead of Powers if Montreal takes Wenger.
At the end of the day though I believe Vancouver gets Andrew Wenger. Wenger really looked impressive when Vancouver watched him play against Georgia State.
3. New England Revolution Enzo Martinez Midfielder North Carolina Junior A new regime is about to take place in New England. Brian Bilello is now New England’s team president while Michael Burns is now the Revolution’s GM. Both Bilello and Burns have climbed the corporate latter in New England. Bilello and Burns have gone from taking start up jobs to now running the front office for the Revolution. I cannot see either Bilello or Burns screwing this up. I think New England is going to look at each player very carefully.
Enzo Martinez scored 10 goals as a sophomore. Martinez has 8 goals and 10 assists as a junior so far leading up to tournament play. Martinez has the consistency to be a 10 goal scorer and 10 goal assist man that UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe has yet to showcase. People are talking about Rowe like he’s the next big thing. Some MLS Scouts say Rowe can be a 10 goal scorer and 10 assist a year type of player. Rowe hasn’t convinced me that he can be a franchise player plus his production has significantly declined in 2011 after a 7 goal, 10 assist, and 24 point freshman campaign in 2010. I believe New England will take this factor into heavy account and end up drafting Martinez.
With Martinez gone only 5 Generation Adidas players remain. New England really liked what they saw out of
4. Toronto FC Ashton Bennett Forward Coastal Carolina Junior Ashton Bennett recorded 21 goals, 6 assists, and 48 points as a junior. Bennett owned Tar Heel center back Matt Hedges in the one on one battles generating 1 goal and 1 assist in a valiant effort against the Tar Heels.
Bennett deserves to be a top 5 pick if he comes out and signs a Generation Adidas Deal. Toronto FC is a perfect spot for Bennett at #4 overall.
5. Chivas USA Dillon Powers Defenseman Notre Dame Junior Powers can play defensive midfielder or center back. Powers was the captain of the US Under 20 soccer team. I get a feeling that Powers will declare and end up becoming a top 5 pick.
There are a lot of players that Chivas USA likes. Dillon Powers, Eric Schoele, Kelyn Rowe, Chandler Hoffman, and Casey Townsend. Maybe they will use the MLS Combine to crown their first round choice. For now I will give Chivas USA Powers even though I could see Chivas going in a lot of different directions.
6. San Jose Earthquakes Eric Schoele Defenseman West Virginia Junior Eric Schoele has the best ability among defensive defenders after Duke’s Andrew Wenger. Schoele has versatility to play center back, right back, or left back. Schoele would make a great addition to the Earthquakes.
Brian “Cobi” Span is considered the best available player. I think he returns for his junior year with forward Will Bates returning for his senior redshirt year. Span looks like a future top 5 pick. Span could potentially challenge Indiana freshman forward Eriq Zavaleta who scored 10 goals in 2011 for the #1 pick in the 2013 MLS Super Draft if Span returns to school.
Schoele is a defensive defender. He showed the ability of an offensive defender. should be the 6th straight Generation Adidas player drafted. This leaves only 2 Generation Adidas Players with the first 6 Generation Adidas Players gone.
7. DC United Hunter Jumper Defenseman Virginia Senior The DC United need a left back. Jumper is the best left back available plus he is a local prospect. This pick makes a ton of sense for DC United. These first 7 picks look set in stone as long as all of the following 6 players get Generation Adidas Deals.
8. Portland Timbers Aaron Maund Defenseman Notre Dame Senior Aaron Maund is a center back for Notre Dame. Both Matt Hedges and Austin Berry failed to impress Portland. The Timbers want a center back so Maund is the pick here.
Previous Pick Matt Hedges Defenseman North Carolina Senior
9. Chicago Fire Kelyn Rowe Midfielder UCLA Sophomore Chicago saw Kelyn Rowe on Sunday. The Fire love what they see with Silva and Rowe. They may look at both players further at the MLS Combine. Rowe is listed as a top 5 picks in some MLS Mocks and would be a Generation Adidas player if he signed a Generation Adidas Contract.
Rowe had 2 assists in UCLA’s win over Rutgers. Rowe struggled in his first meeting against Louisville. UCLA played Louisville in the 2010 College Cup quarterfinals. Louisville was #1 in the preseason polls as UCLA was #2. Both teams play in another intense rematch on Sunday. A big game by Rowe could propel him up draft boards.
Previous Pick Luis Silva Midfielder UC Santa Barbara Senior
10. Columbus Crew Austin Berry Defenseman Louisville Senior With Aaron Maund gone, Austin Berry is the Crew’s top center back prospect. Columbus should send their scouts to the UCLA VS Louisville game this Sunday.
Previous Pick Kelyn Rowe Midfielder UCLA Sophomore
11. FC Dallas Chandler Hoffman Forward UCLA Junior Chandler Hoffman has been an effective goal scorer for UCLA. FC Dallas should take a shot on the Generation Adidas Prospect. Maryland forward Casey Townsend would have been a Generation Adidas player last year. Townsend scored a hat trick against a very good West Virginia defense that could wind up with a 1 generation Adidas player along with a late round pick at right back. Townsend only generated 1 goal in a 4-2 loss to Louisville on Sunday.
FC Dallas went to the UCLA game and was impressed with Chandler Hoffman. Brek Shea leads the team in goals despite playing left wing. Hot talk about Shea leaving FC Dallas to joint Arsenal is really heating up plus Hoffman is playing much better than UCLA’s Kelyn Rowe at this point.
Previous Pick Casey Townsend Forward Maryland Senior
12. Toronto FC from New York Red Bulls Matt Hedges Defenseman North Carolina Senior Matt Hedges failed to impress Portland and Columbus likes Austin Berry better than Matt Hedges. Toronto FC would use this pick on a defender. Hedges helped North Carolina record a shutout on Sunday.
13. Philadelphia Union Kevan George Midfielder Central Florida Senior Kevan George can be an effective defensive midfielder. George showed the ability to score against a future midfielder. George looks like a potential top 15 pick.
14. Colorado Rapids Casey Townsend Forward Maryland Senior Casey Townsend is considered a steal if he slides to the 14th overall pick.
Previous Pick Chandler Hoffman Forward UCLA Junior
15. Seattle Sounders Raymond Gaddis Defenseman West Virginia Senior Raymond Gaddis is a right back for West Virginia. Seattle likes Gaddis so he should be the pick here.
16. Sporting Kansas City Chris Blais Goalie South Florida Senior Redshirt Sporting Kansas City needs a goalie since their goalie turns 34 soon. There are 2 prospects that Sporting Kansas City could consider here. South Florida goalie Chris Blais and Central Florida defensive midfielder Kevin George. Sporting Kansas City will watch the Central Florida game VS Florida Gulf Coast. The winner plays South Florida in the 2011 College Cup. I think Real Salt Lake will also be in attendance at both of these games as well.
Blais was impressive in South Florida’s 2 to 1 win over Central Florida. Blais looks like the top goalie still.
17. Real Salt Lake Luis Silva Midfielder UC Santa Barbara Senior Luis Silva is the best player available here. Silva would make an awesome edition to UC Santa Barbara.
Previous Pick Aaron Maund Defenseman Notre Dame Senior
18. Houston Dynamo Ethan Finlay Forward Creighton Senior Ethan Finlay and Colin Rolfe appear to be the 18th and 19th best players at this point. Finlay has stayed consistent while Rolfe has fallen a bit off of the map.
Ethan Finlay scored 2 of the 3 goals that Creighton tallied in their 3 to 0 shutout over Northern Illinois. Creighton faces UC Santa Barbara next week.
19. Los Angeles Galaxy Colin Rolfe Forward Louisville Senior Rolfe has the potential to fill a huge void with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Rolfe would be a good pickup in the event that he slides this far.
Colin Rolfe played well against a legit 2nd round defender on Bradley. Rolfe could move up boards. LA Galaxy should send their scouts to the Louisville VS Maryland game.
Round 2
20. Montreal Impact Ryan Meara Goalie Fordham Senior Meara is the best player available and is better suited to start out as a backup. Meara and Crieghton’s Brian Holt are competing to be the 2nd goalie taken in 2012.
Montreal will decide which goalie they like better at the MLS Combine. The Impact will probably also use the MLS Combine to look at some of the top players on their board.
21. Vancouver Whitecaps Brian Holt Goalie Senior Redshirt The Whitecaps need a goalie upgrade. Brian Holt recorded a shutout against Northern Illinois sunday. Holt is capable of starting in Vancouver.
Vancouver should send their scouts to Creighton’s next game against UC Santa Barbara.
22. New England Revolution Antoine Hoppenot Forward Princeton SeniorNew England seems like the kind of MLS team that would spend an early 2nd round pick on an Ivy League player. Hoppenot scored 10 goals as a sophomore and 9 as a junior.
23. Chicago Fire from Toronto FC Brian Ownby Forward Virginia SeniorBrian Ownby may have been the #1 overall pick in the 2011 MLS Super Draft if he was not so injury prone. Ownby is a good pick here for the Chicago Fire.
24. Chivas USA Arthur Ivo Midfielder SMU Senior Arthur Ivo looked impressive against Akron despite the loss. Ivo had 10 goals as a junior. Ivo has 9 goals and 10 assists as as senior.
25. San Jose Earthquakes Christopher Tweet-Kent Midfielder Duke SeniorChristopher Tweet-Kent generated 12 assists for Duke in 2011. He has a history of obtaining yellow cards which sometimes generates to getting red cards. The Earthquakes need to come away from this draft with an attacking midfielder.
Christopher Wondolowski is a striker who scored 16 goals. Wondolowski has no one who can get him the ball at midfield which really limits the Earthquakes ability to win.
26. Columbus Crew from DC United Bobby Smith Defenseman Bradley Senior Bobby Smith would give the Crew a much needed defensive presence.
27. Portland Timbers Andrew Fontein Goalie UC Irvine Senior Fontein would be a good addition for Portland to add at goaltender.
28. Chicago Fire Adam Glick Goalie Florida Gult Coast Senior Adam Glick is a Senior Lowes Classic Finalist. The Fire need to add another goalie and Glick the only goalie worth adding at this point.
29. Columbus Crew Luigi Clendening Forward Georgia Southern SeniorClendening is a player who can generate 10 goals and 10 assists. He struggles due to a lack of size which is why Clendening falls to 29th overall.
30. Sporting Kansas City from FC Dallas Adam Still Defenseman SMU Senior Adam Still could develop into a quality center back for Sporting Kansas City.
31. New York Red Bulls Matt Horn Midfielder Winthrop Senior Horn is a defensive midfielder who could boost the New York Red Bulls defense.
32. Philadephia Union Juan Peralta Midfielder Vermont Senior Juan Peralta is an attacking midfielder. Peralta went to community college in high school. That’s how smart Peralta was when it came to academics. Peralta is a bit of a tweener because its uncertain whether he is a natural forward or a natural midfielder.
33. San Jose Earthquakes from Colorado Rapids Greg Kalzura Defenseman Notre Dame Senior Kalzura is a left back who could help boost the Earthquakes defense.
34. Seattle Sounders Evans Frimpong Forward Delaware Senior Frimpong had 12 goals, 5 assists, and 29 points as a forward in 2011.
35. Philadelphia Union from Sporting Kansas City Perez Agazba Forward Senior IUPUI Senior 4.0 GPA and a Lowes Finalist.
36. Real Salt Lake Max Touloute Forward IPFW Senior Touloute had 13 goals, 9 assists, and 35 points as a senior. He should be a late 2nd round pick.
37. Houston Dynamo Lucky Mkosana Forward Dartmouth Senior This Dartmouth striker has been blessed with 10 goals in 2011.
38. Los Angeles Galaxy Brent Richards Forward Washington SeniorRichards had 10 goals and 5 assists as a senior. Richards had 8 goals and 5 assists as a junior.
